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FIRST STOP: FORT LAUDERDALE (VIA PHX)
The big day had arrived and my first stop was to South Florida to go on a cruise. I was being flown in by Celebrity Cruises and they put me on USAir via Phoenix. Ouch! That hurts. I wasn't happy because my first choice would have been a nonstop flight on American to Miami and then to take the Tri Rail for $4 (and 30 minutes) to Fort Lauderdale. But what are you going to do? It's still upsetting to me that American and Delta dropped the nonstops from LAX to FLL. When they sent me my confirmation number, I logged on to USAir's website so I could put in my United frequent flier number. Because I have elite status with them and since they are USAir's partner (both are members of the Star Alliance) I get the same member privileges. The website wouldn't allow me to enter my United frequent flier number so I was forced to call. After all the annoying automated prompts (use GetHuman.com to avoid listening to these) I was put on hold for 18 minutes and then it hung up. I wanted to scream since all I was trying to do was make a simple seat choice. I called back and got a representative in the Philippines who was surprisingly helpful and answered the call in two minutes. He gave me an exit row aisle and reassured me there was no charge for the first checked bag since I was an elite member with a partner airline. I know I brag all the time about not checking bags but I was going away for almost a month and would be visiting a variety of different climates so I really had no choice. Note: My bulky winter coat is what messed me up.
PHOENIX AIRPORT
I made the most of my connection and by the time I got on the plane, I was actually looking forward to going through the Phoenix airport. The airport is kind of old but the backdrop is beautiful and it's easy to get around with all the moving walkways (or magic carpets, like my mom used to call them). I bought a breakfast burrito from N1 Blue Burrito for $6.59 and a bottle of water for $2.59. Both my flights left on time but the PHX-FLL leg was bumpy and the seatbelt sign was on for almost the whole flight. The guy sitting next to me was a riot and he couldn't believe USAir charges $2 for soft drinks and bottled water. He was also upset that they charged $7 for alcohol and that there was no entertainment system on domestic flights, not even music. Heck, these guys are trying to go out as light as can be since the more weight they have, the more fuel they burn and the more money it costs them. They even took out the ovens in the back galley. FYI: USAir serves food on flights three and a half hours or longer but it's not hot.
FORT LAUDERDALE AIRPORT TO HOTEL
My bags at FLL took a good 25 minutes to come out -- which is why I hate checking bags. But at least I got them. Since I was going on a cruise, I took my own advice and went in a day early. You never want to leave the same day in case of delays, cancellations, bad weather or whatever else might hold you up. I was going to stay at the dumpy Fort Lauderdale Airport Hilton since it's right next to the airport and Port Everglades (where the cruise was departing from) but my dad was meeting me and we were celebrating a BIG birthday so I wanted to start the trip off at a special hotel even if it was for just 14 hours. I decided on the Il Lugano Luxury Suite Hotel, which opened up in January 2008. My dad was coming in with his wife Nancy a few hours later so I jumped in a taxi to the hotel. The driver was a cool Haitian guy who said the economy was killing him – he'd only had two trips in the past five hours. The ride took 25 minutes and the meter read $26.90, plus there's a $2 airport charge.
IL LUGANO LUXURY SUITE HOTEL
When the taxi driver took a left away from the beach, I said, "Whoa, Cowboy! I thought the hotel was on the water!" He explained that it's actually on the intercoastal, not the ocean. I was bummed at first but later found out it's just three blocks away from the ocean ... and the hotel offers free golf cart shuttles to and from. It was nice being back in Florida and I noticed the sun stayed up 30 minutes longer than in Southern California. Pulling up to the 14-story hotel felt like I was arriving at the Delano in Miami or the W in L.A. The place was happening, with bright lights and paparazzi. It turned out they were having the grand opening of Todd English's new restaurant Da Campo Osteria (which, by the way, boaters can enjoy exclusive access to using the hotels boat docks.) I quickly threw on my nice duds and brought my Dad to the party, which had tons of great Italian food: meatball sliders, fresh mozzarella, all kinds of pizza, cheeses, steak ... and the desserts -- don't get me started. While I was sampling each one, Todd English came by and started doing the same thing. He's a cool guy and a big-time social butterfly.
MY ROOM AT IL LUGANO
When I originally pulled up, a bellman grabbed my bags immediately from the trunk and escorted me to the front desk. It wasn't far away in the boutique size lobby, which featured a Dale Chihuly hand-blown glass chandelier. Seriously, does every hotel I visit have one of Dale's pieces? It sure seems so! All the rooms here are huge (from 500 to 950 square feet) and they all feature a contemporary design. I was in room 720, which had one bedroom and a living room with a pullout couch, a dining room table (it was a bit wobbly), a huge desk and monster terrace overlooking the beautiful intercoastal. Both rooms had two 32-inch flat-panel TVs and multiple Bose sound systems and iPod docking stations. In addition to the comfortable bed with 400-count European linens, there was a full-size, stocked kitchen with a dishwasher and a refrigerator with drinks that served as the in-room mini-bar. There was also a washer and dryer and walk-in closets. The only thing that was a bit disappointing was the shower. It was just your standard hotel chain shower except that the main bathroom was marble and it came with Bulgari bath amenities and smooth leather bins with Q-tips.
SLINGBOX
My dad would tell you he loved the hotel except that it was frustrating to watch the Jets play the Patriots, which was airing on the NFL Network (a premium channel). The rooms have Direct TV and the in-room directory with over 100 channels, lists the NFL Network as one of the ones they subscribe to but they really don't. Nor were the front desk staff very understanding of my dad's mad obsession with Brett Favre and the Jets. In fact, I probably would have paid $50 for them to special order the channel but they said sorry! Fortunately for me, I remembered that I have a Slingbox, so I was able to keep my dad happy. We watched the game on my laptop using the hotel's free wireless Internet. The Jets won and the hotel came out a winner as a great place to spend the night. Il Lugano Luxury Suite Hotel, 3333 NE 32nd Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Tel: (954) 564-4400.
VIDEO
Sorry! No video this week but we do have all the Johnny Jet videos ever made on YouTube.
NEXT WEEK
Next week, we set sail on a Celebrity Solstice cruise.
*If you heard about us somewhere else or have the link to the story please email Johnny Jet media and let us know where!
SOME OF LAST WEEK'S READER AIR-eMAIL
Heard you on Rick Steves. Great Stuff...do a mobile podcast dude from locations. Mike E. - St. Paul, Minnesota
I have subscribed to your newsletter for some time now. I enjoyed your recent interview on Rick's show.
Chris C- Amateur Traveler podcast
I heard you on Rick Steves yesterday. Good information. When I travel I use a hand held hiking GPS. It is useful to find locations I've never been before. We are going to Thailand and I searched the internet for way points of tour sites in Thailand. Such a site does not exist. It would be great if you could provide this information on your web site.
Rob J -
I heard you on the Rick Steves show Saturday and am very envious about all the travel you embark on every year. Tracey L - Sacramento, CA
Wow! I’m thrilled to find your wonderful travel blog. I am a 79 year old American retiree who, for many reasons, have my wings clipped, so I have decided to travel "virtually". I enjoyed telling them all of the resources available on the net and would really like to add that I have been able to correspond with a "live" adventurer. I would enjoy just an acknowledgment from you so that I can say that I "connected." Happy Holidays, and good health to you, regards, Ray E -
I have the Rick Steves show on at the moment. Rick has you as his special guest. I quickly went to your web site. I very quickly found the info about your Mother and in particular, the Eulogy from you and your siblings. Absolutely wonderful! Congratulations on what you have done and what you are doing! Thanks for sharing your story! Our daughter and her family live in South Africa. We have flown in and out of Johannesburg more than 14 times. P. S. My father died last month. My wife and I had flown with him to Europe for “the vacation of his life”. Thanks again for sharing your story! Tom W -
I wanted you to know that I really enjoyed the resourcefulness you displayed on the interview with Rick Steves that was aired today (12/6/08). I opened your website. That's a lot of information. The advice you gave on the interview was very, very helpful. I'll keep checking your site and learn as I go. You provide a great service. Thanks. P.S. How do I get a job like yours? Dan G - Virginia Beach, VA
OMgosh, thank goodness that you were NOT in the Taj. Interesting how we are looked after isn't it? I commend you for not abandoning your plans. I flew on Friday, October 13, 2001 to the east coast. My friends thought I was insane. I thought that I can't let them get the best of us.
Beth M - Irvine, CA
This week's newsletter is great, per usual, although you frightened me when I read that you were in Mumbai and actually had reservations for the Taj that same night. I feel like your family in that they didn't want you to continue to Mumbai, but I admire your courage in continuing on and I am thankful that you had such a good night. Like most people, I don't know the answer about what to do about terrorism, but I am damn sick of them intimidation and the senseless killing. Karen S - Pittsburgh, PA.
Hope all is well. Loved your Mumbai stuff--glad you made it back alive. Scott M -- Anchorage
Good for you on going to Mumbai.
It's cool you took the tough guy approach in going. I might have backed out and I'm bigger than you..LOL.
It's great to see you made it out. Angel N - Chicago, IL
Glad you are ok....wow....and good for you for going to Mumbai! Lisa D - Chicago, IL
I read your newsletter – my jaw dropped- unbelievable. I’m glad you’re safe! Steve S - Anchorage, Alaska
I didn’t realize you were in Mumbai! What are the chances? Obviously you're alright, but how’s your head? Feeling a little shaken up? You have to talk a little more about this experience.
Has it affected the way you travel? How you look at the world? Are you more cautious? Matt W - Seattle, WA
So glad you made it safely to your undisclosed destination! Cannot imagine how terrifying it was a first to find out about the attacks in Mumbai.
Amazing how modern technology can keep you abreast of a worldwide tragedy … even on a safari. Pam S -Spokane, WA
Just wanted to say thanks for the recent posts about Mumbai – I’ve been following the story pretty closely as I’m sure everyone has – must have been completely surreal to be there at that time. I was in Mumbai a couple of years ago and of course did all of the same things that the US/European market is expected to do – stroll through the Taj, hang out at Café Leopold. Such an atrocity…at any rate, glad to hear you’re doing okay! Emily S -New York, NY
Wow! Terrorists are the biggest cowards and I wish we could just exhaust them all. I’m so happy to hear you are safe and continuing with your travels. Hope the rest of your travels go well. I look forward to continue reading about your travels. Rebecca H – Key West, FL
I'm hanging about in CNN Headline #2, the far less dangerous City. What a mess the world can be and how incredibly small. Glad to hear you ducked this one. My downstairs neighbor in Madison who collects my mail during my two-month absences just emailed me to tell me two guys from her work were in the cafe at the time. Only one got out. Meanwhile my friends and family fill the inbox when, to be honest, Thailand is like child's play in comparison. A few incidents of violence against the protesters and then really nothing more than inconvenience for the travelers. If I skip the airport and the nightly news, nothing seems amiss. Danger is relative. How many people will die and be injured over the holidays on the roads in the US? Just before Mumbai, in little Marshfield, my hometown of 18,000, a private plane crashed through the backyards at my parents. A man and two of his sons died right there. When it's your time, it's your time I guess. Glad this wasn't yours! Kevin R - Madison, WI
I see from next week’s photo that you are on Celebrity Solstice. There are many, many, people who will be very interested in your comments. This new class of ship has everyone’s attention. Thanks for all your timely stories and great sense of humor. Best regards from a long time reader in Washington State. Jerry S – Washington
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